As a founder, entrepreneur, and owner-operator, you know that growth is essential. Perhaps you want to take your business to the next level, but you don’t have the time or resources to do it on your own. Or perhaps you’re considering your exit plan but not quite ready to say goodbye just yet. That’s where ArchStar Capital can help.
At ArchStar, we’re not your typical private equity firm. We’re a team of seasoned professionals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities that middle market businesses face. In fact, we’re former CEO’s and owner-operators ourselves and have been in your shoes. We don’t want to buy your business outright; instead, we aim to be your partner in helping you scale your business and reach the next level.
Here’s why choosing us helps you reach the next level:
1. Your Exit Plan: Retirement and Beyond
It’s natural for business owners to contemplate their exit strategy, especially if retirement is on the horizon. At ArchStar, we can assist you in planning and executing this transition. We understand that your business is more than just a financial asset; it’s a significant part of your life’s work. With our guidance, you can craft an exit plan that ensures a smooth transition while preserving the legacy you’ve built.
2. Partners, Not Bosses
Our team comprises founders and experts with extensive experience in building and growing middle market companies across various industries. We believe in offering valuable insights and support without taking over your business. We don’t want to run your business; we want to help you run your business better. You’ve spent years building an enterprise to escape from having a boss. With traditional private equity firms, sometimes you’re trading the sale of your company only for having a 30-year-old whiz kid who’s never run a lemonade stand now dictating your business’s direction. With ArchStar, you remain in control, with us as partners, not bosses.
3. Building a Next-Level Team
Having the right team is crucial for any business’s success. At ArchStar, we can help you attract and retain top talent by providing competitive cash and equity compensation structures. We treat all our executives as owners, and our management-centric approach ensures that your team is motivated, energized, and ready to tackle the challenges of scaling your business and the rewards of hitting unprecedented growth.
4. Re-Focus on Your Passion
We understand that as a business owner, your passion lies in certain areas of your enterprise. Let us handle the aspects you reluctantly focus on today, allowing you to concentrate on what you love and where you add the most value. Our team brings a wealth of experience across various business functions, from sales to finance to operations, so we can help you streamline processes and get you back to enjoying the exciting parts of your business.
5. Mitigate Risk and Rediscover Entrepreneurship
Taking the next step in growing your business often comes with risks. With ArchStar, you can mitigate those risks and regain your entrepreneurial spirit. We help you refocus on growth after taking most of your chips off the table, making your second bite as meaningful as possible. This sale eliminates the need for the business owner to personally underwrite any company debt, significantly decreasing your potential exposure to losses. Ultimately this step empowers owners to diversify your wealth and lessen risk, all without necessitating a complete departure from the business you painstakingly built.
6. Broad Industry Experience
While you’re undoubtedly an expert in your industry, our team brings wisdom from a diverse range of industries and experiences. Together, we can expand your horizons and explore new approaches that you may not have considered. A fresh perspective can lead to innovative solutions and strategies to drive your business forward.
7. Scaling Your Business
Many successful companies reach a plateau, and this is where ArchStar comes in. We can assist you in making those tough decisions, re-investing time and resources to take your business to the next level. With our support, you can establish the infrastructure and build the right team to achieve your growth objectives. No need to navigate this journey on your own; with us you have experienced thought-partners who are just as committed to your success.
8. Committed Partners who Share Your Vision
Too often former business owners regale stories of big private equity firms coming in and consolidating operations, laying off departments, shaking the company culture, and veering in completely different directions than the owner had envisioned. In contrast, at ArchStar, our alignment with the owner’s vision is a priority. We don’t know your business or perhaps the industry, but we bring vast experience across a number of industries and sectors and look for opportunities for synergy and scale.
9. Don’t Let Someone Else Win
The business world is competitive, and market opportunities don’t go unnoticed. Without the right partners and a winning mindset, a competitor might seize the chance to outpace you. ArchStar isn’t afraid of competition and is ready to invest in things like new equipment, the latest IT, hiring new employees, and acquiring other companies. Each founder possesses extensive experience and networks, offering intangible aid like strategic board guidance, connections to potential clients, and enhanced pricing from suppliers. These combined advantages propel growth that might have been unattainable without the support of a private equity partner.
10. Our Greatest Strength – We’ve Been in Your Shoes
ArchStar is led by four partners – Peter Villhard, Jacob Sturdy, Tom Mingo, and Scott Moore – who bring meaningful manufacturing and supply chain experience, sales and marketing expertise, and strategic growth best practices to the table. Mingo and Moore are former business owners and CEO’s who successfully sold their businesses to private equity. Villhard and Sturdy have decades of private equity experience investing in privately held companies in partnership with management teams seeking to disrupt and transform their industries. The ArchStar team uniquely understands the worries and concerns keeping owners awake at night and ease these anxieties by bringing thought leadership, broad networks, and best-in-class resources, to the table. This combination of founder-based operating experience and deep private equity domain knowledge is a distinct differentiator in the PE space and has garnered the attention of distinguished investment banks, wealth advisors, legal counsel, and accounting professionals seeking to recommend a private equity partner for clients that can protect and expand upon the strong legacy that they have built.
